By Daily Sports on April 13, 2017

The highly awaited Edo State federation cup begins on Monday, 17th April. Draws for the competition was held last Saturday at the media center of the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium amidst fanfare and some anxiety from participating grassroots clubs.

At the draws, it was announced by the Edo State FA secretary, Elder Frank Ajibola that the four semi finalists of last year's edition would be given a free pass to the second round of the competition. The four clubs are defending champions Inneh Stars, Dynamite Force FC, Buffalo and BJ Foundation.

Pro league division 1 campaigners Bendel Insurance were also drawn owing to their league status and, as was explained by the FA, their tight NFL schedule.

As it is with other states in the country, grassroots clubs dominate in the number of participants in the state level of the Federations Cup.

The draws threw up some interesting match ups. Edo State league defending champions Benin Warriors are to face the club they beat to win the league last year, Chinamoon FC, (then Saviors FC). Benin Warriors, noted for their exciting and usually determined and talented bunch of young players would be playing in the competition for the first time and would be hoping to reenact their state league feat in the FA cup when they won the league in the debut season of participation.

The Warriors have, however, lost the services of some of the players who featured in the league last year. Striker Francis Ikpomwonsa has moved to another grassroots side, while right back Michael Life rejoined Inneh Stars (sponsored by a wealthy politician) after he failed to make the team early last year.

However, the Warriors have a slew of good young players like midfielders Desmond Oji and Rivio who are eager to make an impression this year, after being on the bench for most of the state league campaign.

Chinamoon FC are widely admired for their tip-tap football and just fell short of winning the state league last year. They have many technically gifted players especially in midfield and could make life very difficult for teams on their day. Coach of the club is Pius Ehigiator a well-liked ex-player who featured for a number of club sides across the divisions of the Nigerian league.

Kick off time for the Warriors vs. Chinamoon match is 8am on Tuesday 18th April at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium.

Another enticing fixture in the first round is the Dynamos vs. Clibbers also scheduled for Tuesday 18th (4pm). Dynamos are a new team with some heavy funding and they have quickly assembled a lot of the best young talents available as they prepare to mount a genuine challenge on the FA cup and put themselves firmly in the map of football in Nigeria. They have performed well in some top friendlies including a 2-1 win over pro league outfits J Atete at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium recently.

Clibbers FC are a side made up of some powerfully built players who are not afraid to play attractive football on big occasions.

Favorites for the FA cup are BJ Foundation who are coming into the competition in red hot form after beating big sides like Warri Wolves (2-1), Delta Force (2-0) and national amateur side Sunsel of Warri 4-3 in recent friendly games. BJ also won the recently held Betnaija cup competition in Benin City, carting home the N300,000 prize money on offer.

The club has the solid backing of its Europe-based former players like Isaac Success of English premier league side Watford.

The likes of Olympics bronze medalists defender Ekigho Erimuya, Finland returnee and daredevil winger Freedom Omofoman and the physically imposing striking duo of Uche Epete and Junior make BJ thick

Source Daily Sports

Posted April 13, 2017

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